RYA Cruising Team issues latest Greek tax update

A new tax payable in Greece for all recreational craft exceeding 7 metres in length has been on the cards for a number of years. Although legislation has been in place since at least 2013, the tax has never been implemented.

A further law was in discussion in the Greek parliament in November and it was passed on 1 December 2017. Although this law is now in force it includes a paragraph which indicates that the application of the law is subject to a Joint Decision of the Ministers of Shipping and Island Policy and the Ministers of Finance.

The tax, known as TE.P.AH, will become mandatory for all recreational craft exceeding 7 metres in length in Greek waters, but only once the Joint Ministerial Decision has been adopted.

Should the RYA receive any further news about this Joint Ministerial Decision we will make it available to our members, but in the meantime we cannot provide information on how or when the law will be applied.

Penalties changed
For many years it has been a requirement in Greece for all recreational boats over 6.99m in length, both Greek and foreign flagged, to have a document known as a DEKPA.

We understand that the new law will also alter the penalties for not having a DEKPA to 1,000 euros and for not renewing the DEKPA to 500 euros. The penalty previously ranged from 5,000 to 25,000 euros.